A proposed Academy and Leadership Centre would train state officials across Nigeria under a 2026–36 initiative, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) says, aiming to strengthen leadership and policy delivery.
The planned classes would reach elected executives, including governors and their deputies, along with cabinet members and senior civil servants such as permanent secretaries, agency heads and technical officers. Courses would address strategic leadership, public-sector ethics, negotiation and managing change, with offerings organized across 12 sector hubs.
Training is only part of the proposed mandate. The Academy and Leadership Centre would also conduct applied research, provide governance advice and create opportunities for officials to learn from peers. The NGF presents stronger leadership skills as a way to improve state institutions and the implementation of public policies.
A digital platform is intended to support virtual classes, mobile and offline access, AI-enabled learning tools, performance tracking and digital certification. The first phase, scheduled for April to September 2026, covers planning, institutional arrangements, curriculum development and pilot programs.
The proposal would initially place the centre within the NGF’s existing structure, with a later transition to subsidiary status envisioned. The Forum names Nigerian universities, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, the World Bank Institute, UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme as prospective partners.
BusinessDay reported that the NGF and development partners are expected to be the primary funding sources; the outlet did not cite an amount. An April communiqué had already backed establishing the Academy and noted progress toward putting it into operation.
The plan schedules its second phase for October 2026 to June 2027. That stage is to develop operating structures and the digital platform, while engaging faculty and technical staff and formalizing partnerships.
